Tragic Fire Claims Sixteen Lives in Sichuan Department Store

Sixteen people tragically lost their lives in a department store fire in Sichuan province, China, on Wednesday evening. The blaze occurred in a 14-storey building in Zigong's high-tech zone. Preliminary investigations point to construction operations as the cause. Rescue efforts concluded early Thursday morning.

Sixteen people were tragically killed in a department store fire in Sichuan province, China, on Wednesday evening, according to state media reports on Thursday.

The blaze erupted in a 14-storey building located in Zigong's high-tech zone, enveloping the area in thick smoke, as reported by the Xinhua news agency. Overnight rescue operations concluded at 3:00 a.m. local time, or 1900 GMT on Wednesday, as per state broadcaster CCTV.

Preliminary investigations indicate that construction operations were the likely cause of the fire. Further investigations are currently underway to determine the specific source of the blaze.